According to the Ohio
Department of transportation, there were 140 car-buggy accidents in 1998 causing 4
deaths. Between 1990 and 1997 more than 500 vehicle-buggy crashes were reported, 66%
were caused by a motorist following too closely. According to the Lancaster Country
Planning Commission, there were 68 vehicle-buggy accidents in Pennsylvania in 1996 (38 in
Lancaster Country). Leacock Township lead the list for accidents.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has been
holding public meetings in 1999 to educate the Amish on better buggy lighting, etc.
One of the suggestions from the Ohio meetings has been the use of reflective ankle
bracelets for horses. In November 1999, Kentucky Amish were also holding safety
meetings regarding having proper reflectors and lights on their buggies. Many other
states also held meetings. Between 300-400
Amish have attended but because of the rural locations of the Amish communities it is
nearly impossible to reach everyone.

While most states and counties are trying to
ensure safer travel for both types of vehicles, an area near Hillsdale/Camden is working
against safety. The country road commissioners will not post signs warning of slow
moving vehicles, even though the Amish offered to pay for them. The commissioners
say they will post the signs if the Amish will use reflectors. There have been
numerous accidents in the area with damage to Amish and English alike during 1999. Michigan law required buggies to have battery-operated lights, a
white reflective strip, and a round reflective red light the size of an orange.

There are still problems in some states and Amish
communities:

Eight men were fined $328 for refusal to attach the
slow moving vehicle signs to their buggies. These men belong to the Old Order Amish
community in Iowa.

Because their religion forbids the use of bright
colors, the conservative Swartzentruber group has refused to put the slow moving vehicle
sign on their buggies. However, they have compromised by putting brighter lanterns and
reflective tape on their buggies.

Driving used to be done from the right side of the
buggy to avoid the danger of driving into a ditch. But today driving is mostly done from
the left side.

The use of certain equipment on buggies is
required by law in most states and providence's. Check your state regulations for
their requirements.

Equipment used on the buggies will vary depending
on what is permitted by their Amish community. When this equipment is used properly,
it allows motor vehicle drivers to easily identify the buggy from a great distance.
Buggies should be readily identifiable both by night and day and should be well-lighted.

The vehicle drivers must also follow the rules of
the road by not passing in no passing zones, follow posted speed limits, and use caution
at crest of hills and bends.

You can see form this photo taken at dusk, the emblem and lights
would be all you could see at night.

Lights and reflectors

Lamps

Example of slow moving vehicle
emblem, lights, and reflecting tape

The following items are
recommended and in some states required by law.

Mirrors - one placed on the drivers side (left side of
buggy). If the driver sits on the right, a mirror should also be placed on the right
side.

Windows - windows should be placed in line of vision
if buggies are closed

Reflectors - several round red reflectors should be
placed on back of the buggy

Reflective tape - tape should outline the sides of
buggy

Slow-moving vehicle emblem - should be placed on the
rear of buggy

Harness - worn equipment should be replaced

Lights - 2 lights on both the front and back are
recommended. Various communities use different types of lighting such as buggy
lanterns, portable dry cell battery lights, or wet cell wired battery lights (this type is
becoming the most popular in most communities)

All equipment should be periodically checked and
replaced when needed. Emblems fade. Worn harnesses break causing lost of
control of the horse. Mirrors should be large enough so that the whole road is
visible. Battery lights should be kept charged. If lanterns are used, be sure
globes are clean.

Reducing the speed limit in
these areas would be an easy and inexpensive start to the problem. Ohio has added or widen
berms on the roadways is some areas but this is a costly project.

Please
drive carefully

while
visiting Amish country.

Reference: Various web sites (see my link page),
newspaper articles, and the following book "Learning to Drive Safely With a
Horse and Buggy" by Pathway Publishers